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Warriors Novellas #18
Sekret Ćmiego Skrzydła
Marzenia podszyte kłamstwem.
Tyrania Tygrysiej Gwiazdy dobiegła końca, jednak straszliwe wspomnienia wciąż dręczą wojowników Klanu Rzeki. Mroczna historia szczególnie prześladuje Ćmie Skrzydło i Jastrzębiego Mroza, kocięta okrutnego przywódcy, które ukrywają przed pobratymcami prawdziwe pochodzenie. Przerażone perspektywą wygnania, rodzeństwo ciężko pracuje, aby dowieść swojej wartości i umocnić pozycję w klanie. Kiedy Ćmie Skrzydło zaczyna fascynować się uzdrawianiem, Jastrzębi Mróz układa w głowie wielki plan – siostra zostanie medyczką Klanu Rzeki, a on sam jego przywódcą. Postanawia uknuć spisek, który zapewni kotce wymarzoną funkcję w zamian za jej bezgraniczną lojalność.
Tyrania Tygrysiej Gwiazdy dobiegła końca, jednak straszliwe wspomnienia wciąż dręczą wojowników Klanu Rzeki. Mroczna historia szczególnie prześladuje Ćmie Skrzydło i Jastrzębiego Mroza, kocięta okrutnego przywódcy, które ukrywają przed pobratymcami prawdziwe pochodzenie. Przerażone perspektywą wygnania, rodzeństwo ciężko pracuje, aby dowieść swojej wartości i umocnić pozycję w klanie. Kiedy Ćmie Skrzydło zaczyna fascynować się uzdrawianiem, Jastrzębi Mróz układa w głowie wielki plan – siostra zostanie medyczką Klanu Rzeki, a on sam jego przywódcą. Postanawia uknuć spisek, który zapewni kotce wymarzoną funkcję w zamian za jej bezgraniczną lojalność.
184 pages, Paperback
Published October 6, 2025
4 people are currently reading
684 people want to read
About the author
Erin Hunter
276 books10.8k followersErin Hunter is the pseudonym of five people: Kate Cary, Cherith Baldry, Tui T. Sutherland, Gillian Philip, and Inbali Iserles, as well as editor Victoria Holmes. Together, they write the Warriors series as well as the Seekers and Survivors series. Erin Hunter is working on a new series now called Bravelands.
Erin Hunter is inspired by a love of cats and a fascination with the ferocity of the natural world. As well as having a great respect for nature in all its forms, Erin enjoys creating rich mythical explanations for animal behavior, shaped by her interest in astronomy and standing stones.
Erin Hunter is inspired by a love of cats and a fascination with the ferocity of the natural world. As well as having a great respect for nature in all its forms, Erin enjoys creating rich mythical explanations for animal behavior, shaped by her interest in astronomy and standing stones.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 13, 2022
April 2020 So pleasing to see the best scene from Tigerstar and Sasha in this novella. I also like how it managed to answer the question of how Mothwing can still not really believe in StarClan after the Great Battle.
July 2022 Tadpole's death gets me every. single. time. I also forgot just how much time this novella covers; reading the series in chronological order, it practically spoils everything if you read this one before the second, third, and fourth arcs.
July 2022 Tadpole's death gets me every. single. time. I also forgot just how much time this novella covers; reading the series in chronological order, it practically spoils everything if you read this one before the second, third, and fourth arcs.
April 9, 2020
Premise: In spite of their rogue origins, Mothwing and her brother Hawkfrost have worked hard to prove themselves to the Clan that adopted them. And yet hidden truths about her past and herself continue to stalk the golden she-cat as though she's prey, leaving her uncertain of her calling as a medicine cat and unable to trust anyone, including her own kin. All Mothwing knows for sure is that she belongs in RiverClan, and that she'll do anything for them. But can her devotion survive the near-constant danger of her deepest secret being revealed?
Story/Writing: Finally, after months of waiting for this novella collection I get to read it at last! That's one thing this pandemic hasn't stopped! Moving on, I also know that I probably cheated a bit by reading this story first, since it's the third and last one in this collection. But the series was also published out of chronological order, and I'm trying to read the series that way as much as I can. Anyway, I will admit at first I was a bit puzzled by this title, 'cause it seemed initially to be more of a cliff-notes version of Mothwing's life as opposed to an actual story. The more I read, however, the more invested I became, and the more I realized that this novella, at least in some respects, needed to be written. Ever since Mothwing first appeared in the series (at least as I read it), there were things that happened that I didn't really think about pertaining to her until now, and I was pleasantly surprised upon reaching that conclusion. What did Mothwing feel when her brother faked the sign that allowed her to become a medicine cat apprentice? When Hawkfrost died? When the Dark Forest invaded? This novella explores those moments that I never really thought about. And I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who didn't think about them before.
Characters: While the characters in the "Warriors" series are always great – from my point of view, at least – I will admit such a large cast of characters can be tricky to balance when you're putting them in a novella, given that only so many characters can have so much screen-time. That said, it felt like everyone here got the exact amount of time they needed. Of course, it does help if you've read about them before. That said, as someone who binge-read all the published titles in a few months, I was satisfied with what I got here.
Mothwing – As the story's leading lady, it makes sense that Mothwing gets the most character development here. She definitely has the most unique dilemma out of all the medicine cats in the series thus far, that being her lack of belief in StarClan. Although I do sometimes wish that she did believe, I've always liked Mothwing. She may be a bit cynical about StarClan, but her devotion to her Clan and her skill at healing is without question. With that in mind, I was totally invested in her trying to live as a walking contradiction. I always knew she had a hard time being a nonbelieving medicine cat, but here we actually get to read about it from her point of view. I really feel for her but not in a pitying sort of way. She has to deal with being not just an outsider but the daughter of the cat who nearly destroyed the Clans – a father she'd never even met. She suffers the trauma of losing one brother as a kit, and then again – and harder – when she loses the other as an adult, however much of a bully Hawkfrost may have been to her. But I was also rooting for her the entire time to keep doing what she loved, whatever she felt about StarClan. I also like how everything isn't wrapped up in a nice, neat bow by the end. Even when she sees StarClan cats for herself after the battle with the Dark Forest, she's still a bit resentful about them. But again, she has a strong moral compass and will help any cat in need, whatever they believe. And that's ultimately what matters.
Hawkfrost – I remember when I first read the "New Prophecy" arc, and how disgusted I felt at how Hawkfrost pretty much destroyed his sister's faith and bullied her. Now that I've read this, even though he'll never be my favorite cat, I do understand a bit more what drove him to do what he did. If anything, it's kinda tragic reading that flashback in the beginning, knowing what he eventually becomes, which in turn makes his final appearance as a Dark Forest cat all the more heart-rending on Mothwing's part. He was all she had left of close kin once the Clans left to live by the lake. And just like their father, Hawkfrost could be surprisingly loving. But of course, also like their father, Hawkfrost's misguided ambition drove him down the trail blazed by Tigerstar rather than away from it. And while it of course cost him his life and his soul, I felt for how it had also cost Mothwing her innocence.
Various Other Characters – Probably the side-character I liked best in this was Mudfur. He felt like the father Mothwing should've had. I guess it makes sense since he was already Leopardstar's father, and look how great she turned out. Anyway, I was thrilled when he and Mothwing spoke after the battle with the Dark Forest, and how he comforted her and never lost his patience despite her anger and cynicism. Plus, reading this story reminded me of how important Leafpool and Willowshine were to Mothwing at those points in her life, and made me realize with bitter-sweetness that they were more like siblings to her than Hawkfrost had ever really been. I also appreciate how warm Mistystar was toward Mothwing even before she learned of her lack of belief in StarClan, given how she supported her former apprentice's decision to be a medicine cat from the beginning.
Overall: Even if this story features plenty of events fans have read about before – and which may leave non-fans a bit lost, to say the least – the complexity of the main character and her plight are sure to endear readers to how she experienced those events, and how they formed her into who she is today.
Story/Writing: Finally, after months of waiting for this novella collection I get to read it at last! That's one thing this pandemic hasn't stopped! Moving on, I also know that I probably cheated a bit by reading this story first, since it's the third and last one in this collection. But the series was also published out of chronological order, and I'm trying to read the series that way as much as I can. Anyway, I will admit at first I was a bit puzzled by this title, 'cause it seemed initially to be more of a cliff-notes version of Mothwing's life as opposed to an actual story. The more I read, however, the more invested I became, and the more I realized that this novella, at least in some respects, needed to be written. Ever since Mothwing first appeared in the series (at least as I read it), there were things that happened that I didn't really think about pertaining to her until now, and I was pleasantly surprised upon reaching that conclusion. What did Mothwing feel when her brother faked the sign that allowed her to become a medicine cat apprentice? When Hawkfrost died? When the Dark Forest invaded? This novella explores those moments that I never really thought about. And I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who didn't think about them before.
Characters: While the characters in the "Warriors" series are always great – from my point of view, at least – I will admit such a large cast of characters can be tricky to balance when you're putting them in a novella, given that only so many characters can have so much screen-time. That said, it felt like everyone here got the exact amount of time they needed. Of course, it does help if you've read about them before. That said, as someone who binge-read all the published titles in a few months, I was satisfied with what I got here.
Mothwing – As the story's leading lady, it makes sense that Mothwing gets the most character development here. She definitely has the most unique dilemma out of all the medicine cats in the series thus far, that being her lack of belief in StarClan. Although I do sometimes wish that she did believe, I've always liked Mothwing. She may be a bit cynical about StarClan, but her devotion to her Clan and her skill at healing is without question. With that in mind, I was totally invested in her trying to live as a walking contradiction. I always knew she had a hard time being a nonbelieving medicine cat, but here we actually get to read about it from her point of view. I really feel for her but not in a pitying sort of way. She has to deal with being not just an outsider but the daughter of the cat who nearly destroyed the Clans – a father she'd never even met. She suffers the trauma of losing one brother as a kit, and then again – and harder – when she loses the other as an adult, however much of a bully Hawkfrost may have been to her. But I was also rooting for her the entire time to keep doing what she loved, whatever she felt about StarClan. I also like how everything isn't wrapped up in a nice, neat bow by the end. Even when she sees StarClan cats for herself after the battle with the Dark Forest, she's still a bit resentful about them. But again, she has a strong moral compass and will help any cat in need, whatever they believe. And that's ultimately what matters.
Hawkfrost – I remember when I first read the "New Prophecy" arc, and how disgusted I felt at how Hawkfrost pretty much destroyed his sister's faith and bullied her. Now that I've read this, even though he'll never be my favorite cat, I do understand a bit more what drove him to do what he did. If anything, it's kinda tragic reading that flashback in the beginning, knowing what he eventually becomes, which in turn makes his final appearance as a Dark Forest cat all the more heart-rending on Mothwing's part. He was all she had left of close kin once the Clans left to live by the lake. And just like their father, Hawkfrost could be surprisingly loving. But of course, also like their father, Hawkfrost's misguided ambition drove him down the trail blazed by Tigerstar rather than away from it. And while it of course cost him his life and his soul, I felt for how it had also cost Mothwing her innocence.
Various Other Characters – Probably the side-character I liked best in this was Mudfur. He felt like the father Mothwing should've had. I guess it makes sense since he was already Leopardstar's father, and look how great she turned out. Anyway, I was thrilled when he and Mothwing spoke after the battle with the Dark Forest, and how he comforted her and never lost his patience despite her anger and cynicism. Plus, reading this story reminded me of how important Leafpool and Willowshine were to Mothwing at those points in her life, and made me realize with bitter-sweetness that they were more like siblings to her than Hawkfrost had ever really been. I also appreciate how warm Mistystar was toward Mothwing even before she learned of her lack of belief in StarClan, given how she supported her former apprentice's decision to be a medicine cat from the beginning.
Overall: Even if this story features plenty of events fans have read about before – and which may leave non-fans a bit lost, to say the least – the complexity of the main character and her plight are sure to endear readers to how she experienced those events, and how they formed her into who she is today.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2020
Listen, i love Mothwing as if i had two hearts both pumping for her, but Im sick and tired of the Erin's inability to write more than one storyline for her. Starclan is fake wait no actually it's real but it just sucks. We know. We've been told every time someone glances halfway at her that she doesnt gives a mouse's tail for Starclan. We get it. This novella was p much just a recap of two of the worst arcs but focused on religion even more. Mothwings novella could have been so many things, but instead the Erins just used it as a lazy jumpcut story. Nothing is gained that wasn't already known from the arcs, and if it hadn't been so obviously lazy, i would have been angry at how they made me dislike her so much in this. But nah, she's still good in my book, even if this sucked.
July 13, 2020
I am so elated that Mothwing got her own novella! I like the story it told her tale beautifully. I did wish the Erins would have added maybe a little more leading on to the Mothpool ship. ( Mothwing and Leafpool) I love the ship and I truly believe it is the best of all of ships in the fandom.
March 9, 2024
I will be very honest, back when I originally read Warriors, I found myself not caring as much the moment I found out Firestar was no longer the protagonist and POV character. I still read all the way up to the end of the Omen of the Stars arc, but when I think back on the plot lines of New Prophecy and Power of Three, it's super fuzzy. So I can't say for sure if I think that this version of Mothwing lines up with how she's been written in previously published books (I'll get a better idea as I read through the rest of TNP) but it was okay.
I find myself walking away from most of the novellas feeling that way. It was okay. Nothing special and kind of forced. I feel like when the Erins (or rather the editors) write these little novellas, they kind of panic whenever they're forced to write a villain. I feel like in the original books, the Erins made their villains pretty irredeemable so when these books come out where they're supposed to be showing HOW these obviously evil and cruel cats manipulated those around them, they really falter.
Hawkfrost's development in this was really weak and almost entirely off page. I know that it was from Mothwing's perspective, but most of the novella was focusing on her relationship with her brother and her lack of a relationship with StarClan. They make Hawkfrost seem normal, if a little zealous, and then immediately he jumps to maniac who threatens his sister. I feel like if they wanted to really do their relationship justice they would have explored his changes more and focused on that more instead of stupid filler scenes that every single novella and book has. There is so much THERE all the time with these books and I feel like the writers only ever scratch the surface of the emotional possibilities. Sometimes they really nail it, when they actually care about the characters (I'm talking original arc Yellowfang, Bluestar (original arc only not the BS that is bluestar's prophecy), Brightheart and Cloudtail, just to name a few where I think they really wrote the emotional aspects of their characters well.
I think the worst part about this whole experiment of reading all of the books in chronological order back to back is that I'm starting to be able to recognize which author wrote it from just the first chapters and that makes me want to die inside a little bit.
I find myself walking away from most of the novellas feeling that way. It was okay. Nothing special and kind of forced. I feel like when the Erins (or rather the editors) write these little novellas, they kind of panic whenever they're forced to write a villain. I feel like in the original books, the Erins made their villains pretty irredeemable so when these books come out where they're supposed to be showing HOW these obviously evil and cruel cats manipulated those around them, they really falter.
Hawkfrost's development in this was really weak and almost entirely off page. I know that it was from Mothwing's perspective, but most of the novella was focusing on her relationship with her brother and her lack of a relationship with StarClan. They make Hawkfrost seem normal, if a little zealous, and then immediately he jumps to maniac who threatens his sister. I feel like if they wanted to really do their relationship justice they would have explored his changes more and focused on that more instead of stupid filler scenes that every single novella and book has. There is so much THERE all the time with these books and I feel like the writers only ever scratch the surface of the emotional possibilities. Sometimes they really nail it, when they actually care about the characters (I'm talking original arc Yellowfang, Bluestar (original arc only not the BS that is bluestar's prophecy), Brightheart and Cloudtail, just to name a few where I think they really wrote the emotional aspects of their characters well.
I think the worst part about this whole experiment of reading all of the books in chronological order back to back is that I'm starting to be able to recognize which author wrote it from just the first chapters and that makes me want to die inside a little bit.
March 29, 2024
Mothwing's Secret:
3 Stars
I had high hopes for this one, considering how interesting Mothwing's character is. However, this one definitely felt rushed (it only had nine chapters?) and had a lot of repeated scenes from the main series.
I felt like they could have dug so much deeper into her unbelief and questions about StarClan. Perhaps she tries to look for evidence? Or asks the other medicine cats for their reasoning about the theology of their ancestors? She's a smart cat, and I would have liked to see more of Mothwing being Mothwing.
Also, Leafpool was barely in it at all, which was just a personal disappointment I had because I like her haha.
3 Stars
I had high hopes for this one, considering how interesting Mothwing's character is. However, this one definitely felt rushed (it only had nine chapters?) and had a lot of repeated scenes from the main series.
I felt like they could have dug so much deeper into her unbelief and questions about StarClan. Perhaps she tries to look for evidence? Or asks the other medicine cats for their reasoning about the theology of their ancestors? She's a smart cat, and I would have liked to see more of Mothwing being Mothwing.
Also, Leafpool was barely in it at all, which was just a personal disappointment I had because I like her haha.
May 31, 2022
Really good !! I love Mothwing so much and med cat is my favorite role in clans so it was a really good book to read, I enjoyed it very much. I loved reading about the relationship between Mothwing and Hawkfrost, it’s one of my favorite siblings pair because they’re so different and at the same time they care very much for each other, even if Hawkfrost is kind of a jerk.
It was also really good to see a bit of the battle against the Dark Forest at the end because it reminds me of The Last Hope which broke me into pieces.
It was also really good to see a bit of the battle against the Dark Forest at the end because it reminds me of The Last Hope which broke me into pieces.
June 27, 2025
I think this book definitely adds the depth to Mothwing’s character that she was missing. Although belief in StarClan is quite different from Christianity, Mothwing’s beliefs (or lack there of) closely echo my own atheism. Mothwing is one of the most interesting cats in the books, and I agree with her that StarClan isn’t always helpful. You can’t rely on them for everything, as proven in the Omen of the Stars.
May 5, 2023
i love mothwing and her atheism but her atheism has always been clearly shown, especially in the later arcs and this makes it seem like she really wanted to keep it secret. Then secondly the editing was a mess - there were a lot of random time jumps which were annoying. I understand their function but it kept the story from flowing well
October 14, 2025
I love how this book explains why Mothwing still doesn't "believe" in StarClan after the Great Battle, and she is sooo right for that. Starclan really doesn't help much anymore, do they? XD I would say they even make things worse.
And wow, story covering 4 arcs in just 9 chapters? Kinda funny to read but also cool i liked it a lot
And wow, story covering 4 arcs in just 9 chapters? Kinda funny to read but also cool i liked it a lot
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2025
This book was good. I really liked reading from Mothwing’s point of view and learning how she felt about certain events, especially her parentage, her position as a medicine cat, Hawkfrost’s death, and the Great Battle.
December 25, 2025
Nigdy nie rozumialam hejtu na Ćmie Skrzydlo, Jastrzebi Mroz mial na nia negatywny wplyw, ale koncowo nie poszla ta sama droga, co on. A jesli chodzi o jej brak wiary w klan gwiazdy, to jako ateistka w pelni ja rozumiem.
October 27, 2020
Although pleasant reading to me this was an almost complete duplicate of a previous super edition. We found out a little more detail but not much.
July 19, 2021
A look into the secret Mothwing kept in earlier arcs.
Full review at: https://skybookcorner.blogspot.com/20...
Full review at: https://skybookcorner.blogspot.com/20...
September 30, 2021
4 stars
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June 9, 2022as far as i can remember, the secret that the title is referring to is that mothwing is an atheist and im not even joking
August 10, 2022
I’m glad I read this one. Mothwing is such a precious cat. <3
August 14, 2022
i love this kitty cat
August 25, 2022
Mothwing is such a good character and reading this book and her perspective on StarClan was so fresh and interesting compared to all the cats who worship them without question
April 14, 2023
stripped of one star for a disappointing lack of mothpool
November 12, 2023
“Mothwing” looks very pretty on this cover. Haven’t read it yet but something that ticks me off is that, in the 2nd Ultimate Guide, Tree has Mothwing’s art and Mothwing has Tree’s art.
May 12, 2024
mothwing nobody could ever make me hate you
November 20, 2025
fuck you hawkfrost
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2025
erin hunters locks in? 🙀
August 25, 2025
-i am not a big fan of the newer books retelling the same story that we already know but through another character’s perspective.
-i like mothwing so that brings the rating up a bit. There were a few scenes that i enjoyed seeing from her perspective like the becoming a medicine cat and the Dark forest attack
-i like mothwing so that brings the rating up a bit. There were a few scenes that i enjoyed seeing from her perspective like the becoming a medicine cat and the Dark forest attack
January 24, 2022
I'm so glad they wrote about Mothwing's relationship with StarClan!! It was really interesting to see how it explained her opinions about StarClan after the Great Battle. I really love how she accepts their existence, but refuses to 'worship' them because of all the horrible things they let happen. Its such an interesting view and I wish we could have more protagonists with this mindset, rather than just blind appreciation.
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August 4, 2025interesting but mainly a replay of events
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews